4 shot at before pushed out of van

Four people were shot at before they were pushed out of a moving van on a southwest Harris County street Thursday, and it may be linked to a human smuggling ring, officials said.

Investigators said a white cargo van was traveling west on Beechnut Street when a black SUV pulled up next to them at 2 a.m. Someone inside the SUV started shooting at them, officials said.

During the gunfire, four people were pushed out of the van and into the street, deputies said. One of the victims was shot. They landed near a McDonald's on Beechnut near Eldridge, and looked for help.

Investigators said the victims told them they paid someone to smuggle them into the United States from Honduras.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are investigating. It is not yet known how long the people were in the country.

The shooting victim is 22 years old. The other three victims are minors, officials said. They suffered bruises and scrapes from being thrown out of the van. They were all taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The gunman and the driver of the cargo van escaped.

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